What Does it Mean to be an Ethical Journalist?

Katie Flowers
kf163911@ohio.edu

The Beginning
     Journalism may not seem all that complicated to those on the outside. However, being a journalist doesn't grant us the ability to write whatever we want. As journalists, our duty to the public is our first and most important responsibility. 
     The material that journalists put out directly shapes public opinion. Work that isn't of high quality and reliability can make it difficult for readers to trust the media. In order to gain this trust, it starts with journalists having a strong ethical code.

 

The Truth
     According to professional media groups, such as RTDNA, the truth is one of the most important aspects to journalism. The truth should never be forgotten when a story is being reported and something journalists should always be in the pursuit of. 
    Truthful reporting may be more important than ever with the heavy shift towards online publishing. The digital world is often fast-paced and demanding. Yet there is no excuse for false reporting and plagiarizing. Journalists have the job of being the watchdog over the government and public sphere, but we also have the duty of being the watchdog over our industry too. 
     Mistakes happen sometimes. Yet it is important to take responsibility for our work and correct our errors accordingly. This allows us to have transparency with our audience.
     Public relations employees have a special responsibility to be open and honest with their clients and consumers. The PRSA group holds itself to a high value of ethical standards. 
     "Each of us sets an example for each other - as well as other professionals - by our pursuit of excellence with powerful standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct," said its website.
     For Ohio University students who are interested in PRSA, there is a student chapter on campus.

Media in the Digital Age
     Much has changed since the media first appeared. Online media can potentially reach readers that a publication otherwise wouldn't have access too. This might even include an international readership. 
     A very important aspect to remember for online journalism is to make the distinction between what is editorial and what is not. It is online journalists' job to make sure there is no confusion for the readers when there easily could be.

Social Media
     Within the past decade, social media usage has been booming. With several different platforms, interaction is easier and more intertwined than ever. News stories can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and across blogs. Today's journalists also play a role in this social exchange of information.
     Hundreds of journalists can be found on Twitter, from the big names to the local reporters, they are there. When a big story breaks, a reporter can stream the events live from their social media accounts instead of waiting for the evening news to give a report.
     Though social media can be public, it is also often fairly personal as well. This awkward line between the professional and personal can leave journalists in a confusing spot. In this video, RTDNF chairman Stacey Woelfel gave his interpretation of social media ethics for journalists.
      Being in such public view makes it difficult, maybe even impossible, for journalists to have a personal and professional presence on social media. Trying to have both may lead to confusion among readers and followers. It is a gray area that journalists need to carefully navigate.